A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that science standards for Kansas public schools promote atheism and violate the religious freedoms of students and parents.
U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree ruled Tuesday that a nonprofit group and individuals challenging the standards did not claim specific enough injuries to allow the case to go forward.
The State Board of Education last year adopted standards developed by Kansas, 25 other states and the National Research Council. The guidelines treat both evolution and climate change as key scientific concepts.
The lawsuit was filed by Citizens for Objective Public Education, a group based in the small town of Peck. Parents and taxpayers joined the group.
Crabtree noted that even with the standards, local school districts still control what’s taught in classrooms.
